Zander nodded with satisfaction as Jeffrey rounded up his status report for the month. He looked around with pride at the formidable team he had assembled to rebuild and rebrand his company.“Thank you very much, Jeffrey, for a comprehensive and encouraging status report. I had expected this plan to be successful but you and your team have done wonderful work in record time”He had almost lost hope but thanks to his mother's advice, he ignored the noise from the media and focused on rebuilding.“We are not back to where we should be as one of the top construction and luxury jewelry brands in the country but we are getting there.”“Can we release a statement to the media concerning our new collection?” Jeffrey asked.Zander considered the idea for a moment and took a quick glance around the table. From the look on their faces, everyone was apprehensive.He knew they were scared to be under public scrutiny once again.“We took a major hit in public. It is only right that we make a big
Cassie's heart twisted in her chest, threatening to squeeze the air from her lungs. “So the rumors are true? You are really seeing someone else?” Cameron didn't respond. “Answer me!” It was taking everything in her to avoid yanking him by his shirt. She could already see the headlines on the blogs and the several mocking comments from the public.Cassie Barns, the newbie that didn't do her research before jumping into a billionaire playboy’s arms.Cameron finally lifted his head from his palm and looked straight at her.She was expecting to see the guilt in his eyes but instead, she was met with an annoyed frown.“I can't believe you are doing this”Wait, what?She frowned in confusion. “What are you saying, Cameron? Why would you do this to me?”He raised his hand to cut her off, looking even more irritated “I do not know why you are accusing me of such nonsense. I never said that I was cheating on you”“But…”“Women are so quick to jump into conclusions. You did not wait to he
“Come on, Zee. It's been weeks already and you have not given me a response yet”Dr. Kim gave him a worried look and he lowered his gaze to avoid her curious eyes.“I am sorry, Auntie. I have just been so busy with work. I will look through the list and get back to you in a few days”She adjusted the rim of her glasses and stared at him suspiciously“You already gave that excuse a hundred times, Zander. This is the time to tell me what exactly is going on.”“I have told you, I am busy” He was lying through his teeth and they both knew it.“You must be building a new pyramid in Egypt then. I know you well enough Zee and I don't believe that crap. Is there a problem with the candidates?”He might as well give up his diversion tactics. It was clearly not working on his Aunt.“Oh no! I have had the time to read through their profiles and they're great… amazing actually. It's just that…”He paused. What exactly was his reason for not picking a candidate again? Did he even have a specific
Cassie forced her mouth shut. She was practically drooling at the contract open in front of her. A new fashion brand had just presented her with a mouthwatering deal and she could feel the tension in the room as everyone waited for her comments.“So….what do you think, Queen B? Do you like the deal?” Her manager asked, barely containing his excitement.She lifted her face to take a quick look around the room. Everyone was holding their breath as they awaited her verdict.“Just so you know, we think this is an amazing deal but we will proceed until you give the go ahead”“I am hoping you like our terms and our offer” the brand representative added.Like? She loved it! She had her PR coach to thank for her self control because this was enough to send her jumping on the table with joy.Maintain your composure girl! She cautioned herself. Don't let them see all that excitement.She waited a little longer for the right amount of suspense and then blessed everyone with a big smile.“Like?
As she neared Cameron's door, the sound of muffled voices could be heard coming from the room.They sounded like they were in the middle of an argument.“Well, no surprises there” she thought aloud.It was probably a good idea to walk into the room and interrupt whatever madness Brenda was up to this time.As she was about to turn the door handle, the sound of crashing glass stopped her in her tracks.Cameron's voice - “That is enough! All you do is stand by the side and watch me do all the work. I won't take any more insults from you!”Brenda - Scoffs “You are simply useless. Yes! Smash as many glasses as you want but it will not change anything!”Cameron - “Useless? That is rich coming from a failed escort. What do you know about making money and building empires?”Brenda - “Well, at least I can recognize a failure when I see one! You had one job and you couldn't even get it done right!”Cameron - Sighs heavily “I listened to your advice and stepped away from the company. I didn't e
She quickly dialed Maya's number and switched to loud speaker as she tried to dress up.“Hey!” Maya's voice sounded cracked on the phone.Cassie put on her robe and settled on the bed.“Hey superstar! What's going on?”Maya - “You have not seen the news on the blogs?”Cassie frowned. What was it this time?Cassie - Sighs “No, I haven't. I have been too busy. What is it?”Maya - Sighs heavily “Cassie, you should check out the blogs now. The Internet is on fire. Some gossip blogs just broke a new story about Cameron”Well, that was enough to get Cassie's attention. She logged into her social media account immediately feeling the panic rush through her.Cassie - “What gossip blogs? Is it bad? What did they say?” Maya - Small pause “Umm…something about him and some model hooking up in Mexico. Everyone seems to have seen them together at a couple of night clubs. Do you know anything about this?”Everything came to a stand still. Cassie's fingers froze over her screen. The girls in the bat
Zander slumped into the soft sofa and shut his eyes for a moment.He was just coming from a heated meeting with his board members and felt like his head will split open from the headache.“I have some important news, Sir…”“God Jeffrey! Can a man get a break over here?” He groaned in frustration, squeezing his eyes shut.Jeffrey chuckled but kept talking “I think you really need to see this, Sir. You can rest after that”Zander forced his eyes open and stood from the sofa. He knew that Jeffrey wouldn't leave until he had delivered this important news.“Alright, Jeffrey. Let's hear it”He headed for his desk and searched for some pills to handle his headache.Jeffrey cleared his throat and began calmly“Our team has just turned in the report from their investigation. We have discovered the identity of the secret CEO of Kings group of companies.”Zander glanced at Jeffrey in surprise “You were doing your own research? I was expecting an update on that issue from my private investigat
Zander felt all the anger vanish in a second. “What did you just say?” His hands were already forming a fist beside him ready to punch the words out of Cameron's mouth.“I am pretty sure that you heard me clearly. Cassie did not lose the baby by accident. She didn't try to terminate the pregnancy either. Bella and Zoe got the job done right under your roof!”A scuffle outside the door told him that his bodyguards were trying their best to keep Cameron's security men from coming into the room.The two men glanced at the door and waited until the scuffle was over.When the door didn't burst open, it was clear that Zander's men had won the fight.Cameron turned back to him with a sneer“It is just like you to barge into my office and cause such a ruckus”“You had better start talking if you don't want to sleep in your office building tonight”Cameron laughed at the threat“Don’t be mad at me, big brother. I was just a bystander!”“I don't even know why I am listening to this crap. You'
An hour later, she was punching in the passcode to her door and asking herself for the umpteenth time what a friendship with Cameron Scott actually meant?What the heck were you thinking, Cassie?You really have to stop letting them talk you into these things.She glanced at her phone for the third time since she got home.Maya again. She will give up at some point.She dumped the phone on her queen sized bed and peeled off her clothes, trudging slowly to the bathroom.A shower or a soak in the hot tub? Her eyes went from the shower to the bathtub time and time again.Sighing, she strolled to the bathtub and flipped the water on. She dropped in her bath bombs and a few rose petals and let her mind wander off to a handsome young man holding her hand so gently, she could barely feel his touch.Stop it Cassie. Shaking off the silly thoughts from her head, she hurried to the living room and grabbed a glass of wine.She slid into the perfect water and let the scent of vanilla and roses ove
Cassie wrinkled her brows, staring back at Linda who had an unreadable expression on her face.After a long moment of silence, Linda turned back to her bagels and transferred them into a baking pan covered with a baking sheet.She spoke as she lifted each bagel and placed them one after the other, arranging them into straight rows.“I am surprised to hear that you still need Cameron's permission to do anything. That worries me more than anything else you have just mentioned”With a quick glance at the ceiling, Cassie sighed loudly. She sat on a nearby high stool as her legs suddenly felt wobbly beneath her.“It is not like that, Linda. It is just weird. I understand why he is angry about my meeting up with Zander and I don't want to cause more problems between them.”Linda glanced back at her with narrowed eyes“Problems? Are they fighting?”Cassie nodded, wringing her hands repeatedly “They have been fighting for a long time now and I don't want to get in the middle of all that righ
Dr. Brown's brows went up in surprise but she quickly recovered from her shock and smiled.“You didn't seem open to seeing someone new the last time we spoke…”“Oh no no no, that's not what I meant…” Zander quickly interrupted, sensing what she thought he meant.“Oh”“I met her a long time ago. She was the surrogate I chose for my baby”Dr. Brown narrowed her eyes but didn't reveal any emotion on her face.“Go on”He chose his next words carefully, making sure that he didn't pass any wrong messages across.“We had a terrible misunderstanding after she lost the pregnancy in an accident and we parted ways in a horrible manner…”He then proceeded to narrate the entire story leading up to when he found out that Cassie had been framed by his sister and Bella Hampton. He left nothing out. He also told her of his meet ups with Cassie and how they went.At the end of the story, Dr. Brown lifted her head from her notepad and exhaled slowly.“How do you feel about the situation right now?” she
“Did Maya asked you to come to my house by this time? Did she tell you about my meeting with your brother?” She asked in disbelief.She had to stop this nonsense soon enough. Maya was beginning to overstep her boundaries. “He is not my brother! Stay away from him!” Cameron spat out.Making sure that she was looking him straight in the eye, she said “You cannot order me around anymore. Do not get ahead of yourself”Before she knew what was happening, he quickly grabbed her arm tightly and forced her to look into his face.“Let me go! You are hurting me!” Cassie screamed but he squeezed her arm harder.“I do not want to see him anywhere around you ever again!” He ordered, his eyes cold and unfeeling.Fighting back the fear that surged through her, she shook off his hands forcefully and increased the distance between them.Like someone who had just been possessed by something, it looked like he had just realized what he did.He took a step forward but she backed away even further, poin
Her soft round eyes met his across the bucket of chicken and it felt like time froze in that moment.“Why?” She asked softly, breaking the silence.He considered his answer very carefully, knowing that it could ruin the moment if he was careless about it.“Because, I think you might be the light I have struggled to find for so long”He held her gaze, hoping that his eyes told her the many things he couldn't put into words.She didn't look away or pull her hand away and he considered it a good sign.She opened her mouth to respond just as the doorbell rang, shattering the moment and forcing him to let go of her soft hands.“I am not going expecting anyone. Who could it be at this time?” She muttered as she got on her feet and headed towards the door.He heard her gasp softly and rose to his feet, wiping his hands on the paper towel. Then came Cameron's voice.Cameron - “Hey babe. I was just in the area and I wanted to check on you”.Cassie - Sounding irritated and whispering harshly “Y
(7PM DINNER TIME)Zander took one last look at his shoes and exhaled sharply before pressing her doorbell.He couldn't help the anxious pounding in his chest as he waited for her to open the door.He heard some movement behind the door and soon after, he was staring at her face to face.“Hey, you made it”She sounded disappointed for a moment. Did she expect him to turn down the invitation?“Yeah….” He trailed off, feeling the awkward tension between them go up several degrees.He chose to wear a shirt and suit pants without the jacket and tie for thirty dinner but from her dressing, she was going for a more casual look.Her hair fell in loose curls, framing her face beautifully and she wore a strapless floral dress that hit the floor in graceful waves.Tearing his eyes away from her smooth skin, he cleared his throat.“Can I come in?”She opened the door wider with a nervous smile, giving way for him to enter the room.“Sure”His eyes fell on someone standing with her hands crossed i
(SEVERAL HOURS EARLIER)Cassie smiled at the pizza delivery guy who had just brought in her order, signed and carried the large box into her house.She had ordered the pizza on her way home, eager to just relax and spend some time alone.Ever since her modelling career kicked off, it has become increasingly difficult to get any quiet time for herself.On her way to the living room where she had a movie waiting, she grabbed a bottle of wine.“It is ME time!” She took one look at the sofa and another look on the floor, then settled for the comfort of her sofa.Making herself comfortable on the sofa, she opened the box and poured herself a glass of wine. Few minutes into her movie, the doorbell rang and she turned to the door in frustration.Who is it again? I am not expecting anyone this evening. The doorbell rang again and again in quick succession until she was forced to get up and get the door.She looked through the monitor and rolled her eyes, then opened the door to let Maya in
Zander paused at the therapist's door for a minute and considered running away.Come on Zander! You're not chickening out of this right now! Dr. Kim's words came rushing back to his mind.“Maybe the answer is in healing from your wounds”You have spent a long time running away, Zander. How much longer until you actually break down? Taking a deep breath, he turned the door handle and walked in.His therapist was a kind looking woman that looked old enough to be his mother. Her soft smile and warm greeting made him feel at ease.“You are Dr. Brown?” It wasn't exactly a question but it sort of came out that way.She laughed a little and waved him to a seat.“I take it that you were expecting something else. Someone much younger perhaps?”He shifted nervously in his seat and cleared his throat “Err…not really. I am not sure what I was expecting. Sorry if I sounded weird”She shook her head with an understanding smile “In this room, you are allowed to be your weird self. There are no
“Okay let's get a shot from the side. Can you look up and into the distance for me, Cassie?”Drowning out the noise in the busy studio, Cassie obeyed the photographer’s orders as usual.“How much longer do I have to stay this way?” She whined.He only chuckled and changed his position to take even more shots.“Alright, you can change the pose. How about some skin?”Their eyes met and she raised a brow at him“How much skin are we talking about?” He moved over and adjusted the oversized shirt she was wearing to give a little teasing view of the lacy bra she was wearing underneath.“Let us start here. Give me some spicy poses, okay?”She nodded and changed her pose severally while he took his shots.“Oooouuu that is really nice! I love that. Hold on a minute!”Few shots later, he got bored of the look again and she laughed at the pout he made.She loved working with Liam. He found a way to make the shoots fun and enjoyable every time.Suddenly, she noticed everyone staring at the entra